According to officials, the move follows the Authority’s action after the city witnessed heavy rainfall in the recent past, which left Noida water-logged and traffic jammed.Vandana Keelor | TNN | August 05, 2016, 07:47 IST

Representative image.NOIDA: Having launched a cleanliness drive last month and in an attempt to keep monsoon-related water-logging at bay, the Noida Authority on Thursday said it has issued warning notices to 348 companies located in the industrial belt of sector 63 of the city. As per the Authority, property owners have encroached on the storm-water drains in the area, which has led to widespread water-logging. Authority officials have further warned that anyone in the city found to have encroached and covered drains, created pathways and ramps across public roads will be dealt with strict action.

According to officials, the move follows the Authority’s action after the city witnessed heavy rainfall in the recent past, which left Noida water-logged and traffic jammed. “On directions of our Chairman, Pravir Kumar, who has been conducting spot inspections of the city, our work circle divisions have been taking stock,” said Saumya Srivastava, Deputy CEO (DCEO), Noida Authority. “We have found that more than 300 industries in sector 63’s nine blocks have encroached on storm-water drains in the area. This has largely been responsible for the water-logging due to the rains causing great inconvenience to commuters and other property owners,” he said.

DCEO further said that the owners have been given time to remove the ramps. “After that we have warned them that we will not only remove the ramps but also impose penalty charges on them for removing it,” he said.

Srivastava added that anyone violating the Authority’s directions to keep the environment clean and encroachment-free will not be spared. “We expect all stakeholders to support us and help in our drive. Everyone needs to understand that it is their responsibility to make Noida a better place to live in,” he added.

“We also request residents who have encroached and covered drains, created pathways and ramps across public roads to remove these structures. This would not be tolerated. If any violation is noticed, stiff fines will be imposed and action will be initiated against them,’’ Srivastava said.

Meanwhile, Noida’s health and sanitation department has been provided with additional resources to clean up the city. Additional manpower and equipment like tippers, bulldozers, etc have been provided to the department officials for cleaning up the city. On Thursday 500 tons of garbage, construction material dumped on streets and silt from drains has been removed from more than 400 locations across the city. “Not an inch of the city will be spared and all areas, whether residential commercial, institutional or industrial will be scoured and cleaned on a war-footing,” Srivastava said.